Heart of the Treasury

May 2019

Meet the people in the State Treasurer’s Office whose public service inspires us and is making a difference.

Our May employee of the month is Tawnia Starr-Contreras. A veteran of more than 12 years at the Treasurer’s Office, Tawnia has spent all of those years as the assistant for the Legal Office, and providing support for the Executive Office.

Among Tawnia’s primary responsibilities are (1) managing responses to Public Records Act requests, of which the office receives almost 300 per year; (2) coordinating and tracking appointments oaths, delegation letters, and other administrative documents; and (3) serving as a liaison between the Legal Office and the rest of the Treasurer’s Office. More recently, during the transition from Treasurer John Chiang to Treasurer Fiona Ma, Tawnia helped with re-organizing the office, cleaning out cubicles and offices for new arrivals, stepping in to assist with other assignments due to the change in personnel, and helping orient new Executive Office employees to the Treasurer’s Office.

“Tawnia was extremely helpful showing me the procedures when I first started at the STO,” said Rita Clark, one of the Executive Office’s new staff assistants. “She makes it a point to ask me every day if I need anything.”

Outside of work, Tawnia spends a lot of time with her family, which includes her two grandsons, whom she spoils every chance she gets, and many others she has fostered and mentored through the years. She also volunteers her time for worthwhile causes.

The State Treasurer’s Office is grateful to have Tawnia, who has a positive attitude and encouraging words for everyone who crosses her path.